Spark-arrester



. no MODEL.

No. 752,481. PATBNTED FEB. 16,1904.

M` H. THODB.

SPARK ARRESTER. APPLIOATIQN HLBD 21017.21, 1903.

album? ams :Tins co1. maremma. w su VIO Patented February 16, 1904.,

PATENT OFFICE.

MARTIN-H. THODE, OF RIPARIA, WASHINGTON.

SPARK-ARRESTER.

SPEGIFIQA'IIQN forming Ypart o'f Letters Patent No. 752,481, dated February 1e, 1904. Application filed November 21, 1908. Serial No. 182,158. (No model.)

Vlb all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MAR'IIN H. THODE, acitizen of the United States, residing at Riparia,

in the county of Whitman and State of Washington, have invented new and useful Improvements in Spark-Arresters, of which the following is a specification. ,n Y

v This invention relates ,to spark-arresters; and it consists, substantially, in the improvements hereinafter particularly described.

The invention has reference more especially to spark-arresters for locomotive and other similar engines; and one of the principal objects of the invention is to provide a device of this kind which is inexpensive as well as simple in construction and both eective and reliable in use, besides possessing the capacity for long and repeated service.

The invention also has for its object to provide a device of the character referred to which is not liable to get out of order and one in which the working elements or parts are under easy and ready control by the engineer or other operative in charge of the engine.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of this kind which may be quickly and readily applied to locomotive and other similar engines already constructed and which is easily accessible at all times either for repair or for other purposes.

The above and 4additional objectsV are attained by means substantially such as are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which is representeda longitudinal sectional view of a part of a locomotive-engine having my improvenients embodied in connection therewith.

Before proceeding with a more detailed description it may be stated that in the form of my improvements herein shownI employ suitable means of communication between the boiler (below the water line orI level therein) and the smoke-stack, which means are normally closed by a suitable valve, the latter being provided with devices which are operated by the exhaust from the Qengine to open the valve, as will hereinafter appear.

ation is entirely automatic, and whenever the valve is carried to open position a spray of water is caused to be injected into the smokestack by pressure of the steam in the boiler,

so that the sparks are met in their passage upward, and not only arrested, but' also practically extinguished. Means are employed for regulating the force of the spray, and it may be added that the operation of the device is always proportionate to the power or strength of the exhaust, .and hence the means of communication between ythe boiler and smokestack remains entirely cut of during periods at which the boiler is at low pressure.

In connection with the means and devices referred to I also employ a suitable deliector in the upper part of the smoke-stack, the same being of special construction, all as will hereinafter appear.

Reference being had to the accompanying drawing by the designating characters thereon, 1 represents the upper part of the boiler of an ordinary locomotive or other similar engineha'ving mounted thereon at one end the usual smoke-stack 2, the upper portion of which is enlarged or flaring at 3, as shown, although the said stack may be perfectly straight throughout its height, if desired. Entering the boiler below the water line or level (indicated by the broken line 4) therein, and preferablyl at the end thereof at which the engineers seat 5 is located, is one end of a conduit or pipe 6, which is bent or turned at 7 to extend lengthwise of the boiler, the said pipe being provided at 8 with a controllingvalve 9 in reach of the engineer or other operative, the main portion of this pipe being preferably located between the upper outer surface of the boiler and the usual boiler-covering 9, as shown. The forward member 10 of said pipe 6 passes upwardly beyond covering 9a at 1l, the upper end thereof being bent or turned substantiallyat right angles and provided with a perforated nozzle 12, fitted in one side of the smoke-stack and communieating with the interior of the latter, as shown. This member 10 may also be inclosed by a similar covering, if desired, which, however, is not herein shown.

At a suitable point thereof the forward member 10 of the pipe 6 is provided with suitable guides 13 and 14 for any suitable form of cut-off valve 15 working within said member 10, said valve in the present instance being practically a slidable one provided with a collar 16 to limit the movement of the same in either direction. This valve also works through an opening or bearing 17 therefor inY the side of the smoke-stack and has hinged or movably connected to the end Athereof (within the smoke-stack) one end of a link 18, the other end of which is in similar connection with the lower end of a vertical rod 19, the upper end of'which is hinged at 20 to the inner end of a plate or bracket 21, secured at 22 to the inner side of the smoke-stack, as indicated. The upper end of said rod 19 is also rigid with a normally horizontal plate 23, so that when the said plate is caused to be turned upwardly all the elements or parts will be carried to the dotted-line positions indicated in the drawing.

Suitable means (not shown) being employed by which to direct the exhaust-steam of the engine upwardly through the smoke-stack, it is apparent that when such exhaust has attained a certain degree of power or strength the same will cause the plate 23 to be elevated by impingement against the under side thereof, whereupon the link 18 will be drawn upon in virtue of the connection therewith of the lower end of rod 19, and hence the rod or valve 17 will be drawn outwardly, thereby opening communication between the boiler (below the water-level therein) and smokestack. As soon as this operation takes place a spray of water will be caused to be injected into and across the interior of the smoke-stack, due to the pressure above the water in the boiler, it being understood, of course, that the action is practically instantaneous, since at normal pressure the pipe 6 will be left filled with water ready to be forced past the valve as soon as the latter-is opened. The engineer or other operative may regulate the force of the spray by manipulation of the valve 9, and it may be stated at this point that therigid connection between rod 19 and the plate 23 is in the) form of substantially a brace, (shown at 24.

From the construction shown and described it will be seen that the parts of my improvements are capable of ready application for use and also that easy access is had thereto either for removal or repair of the parts or for other purposes.

Supported in the upper enlarged portion 3 of the smoke-stack by means of plates or rods 25 is an ordinary deiiector 26, constructed substantially of an inverted cone having the sides thereof indented circumferentially at intervals, as shown at 27, the effect of which construction is to more elfectually arrest uprising sparks, since successive projections 28 are thus presented to meet the sparks at different horizontal planes within the stack. I may dispense with said deector in some instances, or I may substitute other forms in lieu thereof; but I preferably employ the same substantially in the embodiment herein illustrated.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new isi 1. Aspark-arrester for locomotive and other similar engines, comprising a normally closed conduit connecting the water space of the boiler with the smoke-stachand means operated by the exhaust from the engine for opening said Vconduit to admit water to the stack under pressure.

V2. A spark-arrester for locomotive and other similar engines, comprising a normally closed conduit connecting the water space of the boiler with the smoke-stack, and a valve operated by the exhaust from the engine for opening said conduit to admit water to the stack under pressure.

3. A spark-arrester for locomotive and other similar engines, comprising a normally closed conduit connecting the water-space of the boiler with the smoke-stack, a slide-valve working in said conduit, and means operated by the exhaust from the engine for moving the valve to admit water to thestack under pressure.

4. A spark-arrester for locomotive andl other similar engines, comprising a conduit connecting the water-space of the boiler with the smoke-stack, a valve normally closingv said conduit, means for limiting the movement of said valve, and means'for operating the valve by the exhaust from the engines for opening the conduit to admit water to the stack under pressure.

5. A spark-arrester for locomotive and other similar engines, comprising a normally closed conduit provided at one end with a spray-nozzle entering the smoke-stack, and connecting at its other en'd with the water-space of the boiler, a valve located in said conduit, and means operated by the exhaust from the engine for actuating said valve to open the conduit to admit water to the stack under pressure.

6. A spark-arrester for locomotive and other similar engines, comprising a normally closed conduit connecting the Water space of the boiler with the smoke-stack, means operated by the exhaust from the engine for opening said conduit to admit water to the stack under pressure, and a controlling-valve located in said conduit and adapted to be operated from the cab of the engine.

7 A spark-arrester for locomotive and other similar engines, comprising anormally closed conduit connecting the Water space of the boiler with the smoke-stack, a slide-valve operated by the exhaust from the engine for opening said conduit to admit water to the stack under pressure, and a controlling-valve located in said conduit and adapted to be operated from the cab of the engine.

8. A spark-arrester for locomotive and other similar engines, comprising a normally closed conduit connecting the water-space of the IOO IIO

boiler with the smoke-stack, means operated by the exhaust from the engine for opening said conduit to admit Water to the stack'under pressure, and a delector located in the upper part of the smoke-stack.

9. A spark-arrester for locomotive and other similar engines, oomprisinganormally closed conduit connecting the Water space of the boiler with the smoke-stack, a valve Working in said conduit, and means operated by the exhaust from the engine to aetuate said valve to open the conduit, said means comprising a link, a rigid rod and plate, the former being connected to the link, and a rigid bracket by which said rod and plate are movably sup- I5 ported Within the stack.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature in presence of two. Witnesses.

MARTIN H. THODE.

Witnesses:

J. J STODDARD, IDA STODDARD. 

